File No. 165.009/15
The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State
Rome, October 31, 1914.
[Received November 2, 11 p.m.]
[Telegram]
54. Your 61, 16th.1 Foreign Office informs me to-day relative shipment cotton from United States to Germany through Italy:
Transit of goods across territory of Kingdom not prohibited provided such shipments be direct and confined goods from a foreign country and shipped to a foreign country and also provided they are only crossing the territory of the Kingdom without being placed on storage in warehouses or like depositaries.
In case of grain and mineral oils where [due to] lack of cars or through other unforeseen or exceptional circumstances the forwarding of such goods cannot be accomplished immediately after discharge from vessels, the parties interested must come to an understanding with customs authorities of Italy who will decide if, and under what conditions, a temporary stay in Italy of such merchandise may be arranged. But even in the latter case it will be necessary to avoid the placing of such grains and mineral oils on storage in warehouses or tanks or like depositaries without first reaching an agreement with customs authorities.